You can learn a lot from your lovers, but-for the most part-you get to keep your friends longer, and you learn more from them.

Before I began The Cider House Rules, I thought I wanted to write about a father-son relationship that was closer, more conflicted, and ultimately more loving, than most. Then I began to think of a relationship between an old orphanage director and an unadoptable orphan - a kid who goes out into the world and fails and keeps coming back, so that the old guy ends up with someone he's got to keep.

Watch out for people who call themselves religious; make sure you know what they mean - make sure they know what they mean!

I never know when I finish the novel I am writing which will be the next novel out of the station.

What do Americans know about morality? They don't want their presidents to have penises but they don't mind if their presidents covertly arrange to support the Nicaraguan rebel forces after Congress has restricted such aid; they don't want their presidents to deceive their wives but they don't mind if their presidents deceive Congress- lie to the people and violate the people's constitution!

She sat keenly white and still among them, a witness to everything--maybe determining nothing, possibly judging it all.

There's no reason you shouldn't, as a writer, not be aware of the necessity to revise yourself constantly.